Both free-agent acquisitions – albeit with much different contracts – have put up ugly numbers this season, and both have felt the venom of frustrated Angels fans.

On Saturday, their paths were intertwined as they each came out looking good in the Angels' 7-2 victory over the Houston Astros, their fifth in a row.

Blanton gave up two runs in seven innings, picking up his second victory in 16 starts, with Hamilton saving at least three runs with two catches.

Blanton, who brought a 1-10 record and 5.26 ERA into the game, had earned part of that record with his own mistakes on the mound. However, he'd also thrown five quality starts that he lost. The Angels scored two runs or fewer for him seven times. The bullpen also blew leads for him twice.

The Angels got Blanton all the runs he needed with four runs in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom of the inning, with two on and two outs, Hamilton raced back to the fence to snag a J.D. Martinez drive that Hamilton said would have hit the top of the fence. In the seventh, Hamilton reached over the fence to take away a homer from Matt Dominguez.

"It's nice having those guys who are able to go get it," said Blanton, who also saw Mike Trout make a catch at the base of the left-field wall. "Any time an outfielder makes a diving play or a catch up against the wall, it's always a huge boost because you know they stole one. Sometimes those are game-changers."

Hamilton, whose 8-for-19 trip has still only lifted his average to .221, said he felt his defense was lacking earlier this month, so he's happy that has also turned around.

"If you don't do it at the plate you want to do it in the field, and during that stretch I wasn't doing it either way," Hamilton said. "But I feel better. Everybody keeps telling me to go out and play and have fun. Just relax."

Erick Aybar #2 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim singles in two runs against the Houston Astros in the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park in Houston. BOB LEVEY, GETTY IMAGES
Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim flies out in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in Houston. BOB LEVEY, GETTY IMAGES
Chris Iannetta #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a two-run home run to left field in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros in Houston. BOB LEVEY, GETTY IMAGES
Catcher Chris Iannetta #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bumps fists with pitcher Garrett Richards #43 of the Angels after the final out against the Houston Astros in Houston. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won 7-2. BOB LEVEY, GETTY IMAGES
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Josh Hamilton leaps at the wall to catch a fly ball hit by Houston Astros' J.D. Martinez during the fourth inning in Houston. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar fields a ground ball hit by Houston Astros' Matt Dominguez during the third inning in Houston. Dominguez was out at first on the play. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Angels' J.B. Shuck is tagged out by Houston Astros relief pitcher Travis Blackley, right, after being caught in a rundown during the eighth inning in Houston. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve throws to first after fielding a ground ball hit by Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar during the first inning in Houston. Aybar was out at first on the play. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve tries to field a hit by Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar during the third inning in Houston. Aybar was safe at first with a hit on the play. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Angels' Alberto Callaspo hits a two-run single as Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro reaches for the pitch during the fourth inning in Houston. The Angels' Mark Trumbo and Howie Kendrick scored on the hit. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Angels' Erick Aybar hits a two-run single against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Houston. Angels' Josh Hamilton and Alberto Callaspo scored on Aybar's hit. Aybar was out at second trying to stretch his single into a double. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Joe Blanton throws against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Houston. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Angels' Howie Kendrick, right, is congratulated by Josh Hamilton after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning of in Houston. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Josh Hamilton leaps at the wall to make the catch of a fly ball hit by Houston Astros' Matt Dominguez during the seventh inning in Houston. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles Angels' Chris Iannetta, center, is congratulated by teammates Alberto Callaspo, right, and J.B. Shuck, left, after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning in Houston. Callaspo scored on Iannetta's homer. DAVID J. PHILLIP, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Howie Kendrick #47 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in Houston. BOB LEVEY, GETTY IMAGES

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